Unless your family has dealt with serious issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse, co-parenting having both parents play an active role in their children’s daily lives—is the best way to ensure that all of your children’s needs are met while also allowing them to maintain close relationships with both parents. The quality of co-parenting relationships can also have a significant impact on children’s mental and emotional well-being, as well as the occurrence of anxiety and depression. Of course, putting aside relationship issues, especially after acrimonious divorce, and agreeing to co-parent is sometimes easier said than done.
Joint custody arrangements can be exhausting, infuriating, and stressful, especially if you have a strained relationship with your ex. You may be concerned about your ex’s parenting abilities, stressed out about child support or other financial issues, worn down by conflict, or believe you’ll never be able to overcome all of your relationship’s resentments.
Making shared decisions, interacting with one another at drop-offs, or simply speaking to someone you’d rather forget about can all appear to be impossible tasks. However, for the sake of your children’s well-being, you can overcome co-parenting challenges and develop a cordial working relationship with your ex. You can use these tips to stay calm, consistent, and resolve conflicts in order to make joint custody work and allow your children to thrive.
Tip number 1: Aim to be flexible
Flexibility benefits everyone. For example, if your child’s other parent is sometimes late for pick-ups, it might help to be ready with alternative plans. If you’re flexible when your child’s other parent needs to change something, they might be more flexible when you need it.
Flexibility benefits everyone. For example, if your child’s other parent is sometimes late for pick-ups, it might help to be ready with alternative plans. If you’re flexible when your child’s other parent needs to change something, they might be more flexible when you need it.
Tip number 2: Support each other
Both parents play an equal role in co-parenting after divorce, so it’s critical that they offer each other their full support and communicate openly. You will have to make many important decisions together, such as their school, extracurricular activities, and, most importantly, their well-being. When one co-parent becomes difficult, it affects everyone involved because it puts the other co-parent under stress because they have to compensate for their ex-unwillingness partner’s to participate.
Sticking to your co-parenting schedule and being flexible enough to accommodate each other should anything come up is the best way to keep things running smoothly for the children. Most importantly, be open to communicating your feelings and addressing any problems before they escalate.
Tip number 3: Be prepared for some challenging feelings
You may experience feelings of loss, loneliness, and disappointment while your child is with their other parent. It can be beneficial to view this period as an opportunity. Time away from your child, for example, can allow you to rest, relax, and pursue relationships with family and friends.
Planning ahead of time can help you cope when your child is away. You could plan to exercise, go out to eat with friends, visit family, or watch a movie.
If possible, plan ahead of time how you’ll communicate with your child while they’re with their other parent. You could, for example, use phone calls, video calls, text messages, DMs, or email. When speaking with your child, keep your attention on them and try not to show how much you miss them.